Knitting machine having means to transfer knitted loops

ABSTRACT

A links and links knitting machine has two spaced needle beds formed with parallel grooves. Jacks and needles are longitudinally slidable in the grooves. Each needle has hooks at opposite ends to engage knitted loops of yarn. Each jack has a latch-opening nose formed with a depression for removing and holding a knitted loop from a needle. Cams move the jacks and needles selectively. The needle beds are movable laterally with respect to each other, so that a jack in one groove in one bed, which has removed a loop from a needle in the bed, can be aligned with a needle in another groove in the other bed for transferring the loop to the other needle.

United States Patent [111 3,600,907

(72] Inventor Jerry Mllkovsky [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS P 2,025,871 12/1935 Kuehnel 66/69 x 221 Filed Nov. 12. [969 2,215,082 9/1940 Mehnen a, 66/63 Pmmd 2 395 820 3/1946 l-layhurstw. y 66/63 [731 Assignees Marie Lanthle:

Greenwood Lake, N.Y. Primary Examiner-- Ronald Feldbaum Richard fink; E-ll Zimlc; Raymond Attorney-Polachek & Saulsbury Lenthla npnrthmeutoeaeh is [54] KNITTING MACHINE HAVING MEANSTO ABSTRACT: A links and links knitting machine has two spaced needle beds formed with parallel grooves. Jacks and needles are longitudinally slidable in the grooves. Each needle has hooks at opposite ends to engage knitted loops of yarn Each jack has a latch-opening nose formed with a depression for removing and holding a knitted loop from a needle C ams move the jacks and needles selectively. The needle beds are movable laterally with respect to each other, so that a jack in one groove in one bed, which has removed a loop from a needle in the bed, can be aligned with a needle in another groove in the other bed for transferring the loop to the other needle.

KNITTING MACHINE HAVING MEANS T TRANSFER KNI'I'IED LOOPS This invention relates to the art of flat bed links and links knitting machines, and more particularly concerns a knitting machine having jacks formed with loop engaging tips for transferring a knitted loop from one needle to another.

The invention involves improvements in knitting machines of the links and links type such as described in U.S. Pats. No. 2,644,323, and 2,653,460. In this type of knitting machine the movable jacks principally serve to open and close latches in the needles. The present invention involves modifications in the structure of the jacks so that they can function to transfer a knitted loop from one needle to another entirely automatically. This pennits the machine to produce fashioned garment sections by reducing knitting width and creating openings such as required for neck, armhole, and the like. The machine may further produce novel knitted effects such as cyclically repeated openings in the knitted fabric to give a lacelike or crocheted appearance. An opening in knitted fabric is produced according to the invention by operating a jack to transfer a knitted loop of yarn off a needle to a jack, retaining the loop on the jack and then depositing the loop on to another needle. This will create a desired opening or hole in the knitted fabric. According to the invention, each of the main jacks in the machine is provided with a depression in the upper surface of its latch-opening tip or nose. Cams on a carriage operate to reciprocate the jacks. A selected jack is moved longitudinally to engage a knitted loop. Then the jack is retracted carrying the knitted loop engaged on the depression in its nose. One of the beds carrying the needles and jacks is then moved laterally to align the selected jack with another needle while an opening is formed in the fabric due to engagement of the loop of yarn on the jack. Then the jack is cammed longitudinally again to transfer the engaged loop on to the hook of the other needle. The jack is then retracted after it is relieved of the loop. Then knitting continues normally until another selected loop is to be transferred.

The invention will be explained in further detail in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view partially diagrammatic in form of a cam carriage needle beds and associated parts of a links and links knitting machine, the section being taken on line l1 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 2-8 are sectional views taken on lines 2-2 through 8-8 respectively of FIG. 1 and showing needles and jacks in successive positions assumed during a cycle wherein a knitted loop of yarn is transferred from a needle to a jack.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1, taken on line 9 9 of FIG. 10. FIGS. 10-13 are sectional views taken on lines Ill-10 to 1313 respectively of FIG. 9, showing successive stages in the cycle wherein the loop engaged on a jack is transferred to a needle.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a needle and nose ends of two jacks such as employed in the machine.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 13 there is shown a cam carriage which may be a carriage plate of a links and links knitting machine of the type described in the U.S. patents referred to above. This carriage is vertically reciprocal as indicated by arrow 22. The carriage carries a plurality of laterally spaced earns and 26 extending outwardly for moving longitudinally movable jacks and needles slidably disposed in grooves 32, 33 formed in needle beds 34 and 36. The grooves are disposed perpendicular to the direction to the direction of motion of the carriage 20. Adjacent to carriage 20 is a laterally movable hexagonal jacquard drum 38 rotatable by a driven chain 39. The drum has pins 40 and holes 41 for engaging butt jacks 42 and 43.

The needle beds 34 and 36 as best shown in FIGS. 2-8 and 10-13 are spaced apart to define a space 50 at the knitting position of the machine. Either one of the two needle beds can be shifted laterally with respect to the other as indicated by arrow 52 in FIGS. 1 and 9, by means of rack gearing (not shown). Needles 54 are slidably disposed in grooves 32. As best shown in FIG. 14 each flat needle has hooks 55, 56 at opposite ends. The hooks are closable by pivotable latches 58, 60. Aligned with each needle 54 in a groove 32 is a flat jack 62 disposed so that its nose 63 overlays the upper edge of the needle. A depression or recess 64 is formed in nose 63. Butts 66 at the left or front end portion of the jack extend upwardly from upper edge of the jack. Butt jacks 42 and 43 are located forwardly of jacks 62 in grooves 32. Jacks 70 are slidably disposed in grooves 33 of needle bed 36. The nose 74 at the left or front end of each jack is aligned with a needle 54 in a groove 32 of needle bed 34. A depression or recess 75 is formed in the upper edge of the nose 74 of each jack 70. Butts 76 extend upwardly from the upper edge of the jacks 70 at their right or rear ends.

The operation of the machine will now be described. FIG. 2 shows the relative positions of a needle 54 and jacks 42, 43, 62 and 70 at the start of a loop transfer cycle. The nose 63 of jack 62 overlays the front or left end of needle 64. A knitted yarn loop is engaged in the right or rear hook 56 of the needle.

In FIG. 3, the drum 38 has been moved laterally to the right and jack 42 has been moved to the right while the left end of jack 43 enters hole 41. In FIG. 4, drum 38 is returning to the left. Cam 25a engages jack 42 which engages jack 43 and moves it to the right. In FIG. 5, came 25b retracts jack 42. In F IG. 6, cam 25c engages jack 43 and moves it along with jack 62 to the right. Jack 62 moves needle 54 to the right. The knitted loop 100 which was engaged in hook 56 has slipped out of the hook since the needle moves to the right.

In FIG. 7, cam 26a engages a butt 76 of jack 70 and moves the jack to the left. At the same time cam 25d moves jack 62 to the left and cam 25c moves jack 43. Needle 54 also moves to the left. The loop 100 engages on nose 74 of jack 70 while latch 58 closes on hook $6. In FIG. 8, cam 26a moves jack 70 to the right with loop 100 engaged on nose 74 and clear of needle 54. The first part of the loop transfer operation is now done and the machine is ready to transfer the loop to another needle.

Either bed 34 or bed 36 moves laterally relatively to the other in either direction as indicated by arrow 52 in FIG. 9. This aligns jack 70 in groove 33 in bed 36 holding loop 100 with another needle 54' in another groove 32' in bed 34 as shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 shows cam 25fmoving jack 62 and needle 54 to the right so that hook 56 of the needle moves into loop 100 and under the nose 74 of jack 70. In FIG. 12, cam 26b moves jack 70 to the right clearing it from the loop which slips out of depression 75 in nose 74, leaving the loop 100 engaged in hook 56 of needle 54'. In FIG. 13, cam 25f has moved jack 62' and needle 54 which is engaged with this jack, to the left to the same position as jack 62 and needle 54 shown in FIG. 2, while cam 26b has moved jack 70 to the right to the same position as shown in FIG. 2. This completes the entire loop transfer operation. The machine is now ready for knitting another stitch, and can then start again the cycle of loop transfer operation shown in FIGS. l-I3.

In a similar way to that shown in FIGS. l-13, the nose 64 of jack 62, can retain a knitted loop of yarn transferred from hook 55 of needle 54. Then the loop can be transferred to another needle selected by lateral relative shift of the two needle beds 34, 36. This procedure is not illustrated in the drawings since it will be substantially the same as the cycle illustrated but with jacks moving in opposite directions.

By holding the loop of yarn engaged on nose 64 of jack 62 or on nose 74 of jack 70 an opening of any desired size is formed in the knitted fabric. Openings can be formed cyclically to form a repeated pattern. A lacelike knitted fabric can be made which simulates a hand-knitted or crocheted fabric.

What is claimed is:

I. In a knitting machine, the combination comprising: two spaced needle beds defining a knitting area in the space between them, said needle beds having parallel grooves aligned with each other in the two beds; a flat needle longitudinally slidable in a first groove in one needle bed; a first flat jack in said first groove engaged with one end of said needle and longitudinally slidable to move the needle, said needle having a hook at its other end for engaging a first knitted loop of yarn in said knitting area; a second jack longitudinally slidahis in a second groove in the other needle bed, said second jack having a nose formed with a depression for engaging said loop and removing it from the needle; first cam means for moving the first jack to disengage the loop from said hook; second cam means for moving the second jack to remove said loop from the needle; another needle in another groove in said one needle bed, said needle beds being laterally movable with respect to each other in a direction perpendicular to said grooves to align said other needle with said second jack; a third jack in said other groove engaged with said other needle for moving the same in said other groove; and third cam means for engaging said third jack to move said third jack and other needle, said other needle having another hook at one end to engage the loop of yarn on the nose of the second jack, whereby the loop is removed from the nose of the second jack and is engaged on the hook of said other needle when the second and third jacks are moved in opposite directions by said second and third cam means respectively; said third cam means being operative to be initially activatable when said other needle is free of engagement with any knitted loop and said first knitted loop is engaged on said second jacks nose depression, such that an opening in a fabric being knitted may be formed.

2. In a knitting machine, the combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the first-named needle has another hook at said one end thereof for engaging another knitted loop of yarn; said first jack having a nose formed with a depression therein for removing said other knitted loop from said other hook for transferring said other loop to a further needle.

3. In a knitting machine, the combination as defined in claim 2, further comprising a carriage movable in a direction perpendicular to the grooves in the needle beds, said cam means being cams carried by said carriage and disposed to engage the jacks for moving the same when the carriage moves.

4. [n a knitting machine, the combination as defined in claim 3, further comprising further jacks slidably disposed in said first groove for moving the first jack; and further cam means engageable with said further jacks to move the same for moving the first jack into a position where it can be engaged by said first carn means.

5. In a knitting machine, the combination as defined by claim 1, wherein said needle has another hook at said one end thereof for engaging another knitted loop of yarn; said first jack having a nose formed with a depression therein for removing said other knitted loop from said other hook for transferring said other loop to a further needle.

6. in a knitting machine, the combination as defined by claim 1, further comprising first means for moving the first jack to disengage the loop from said hook, second means for moving the second jack to remove said loop from the needle; another needle in another groove in said one needle bed at least one of said needle beds being laterally movable in a direction perpendicular to said grooves to align said other needle with the second jack, said other needle being slidable in said other groove and having another hook at one end to engage the loop of yarn on the nose of the second jack for removing the same, whereby the loop of yarn is transferred from the first named needle to said other needle.

7. In a knitting machine the combination as defined in claim 6, further comprising a third jack in said other groove; and third means for moving said third jack and said other needle to remove said loop from the nose of the second jack.

8. in a knitting machine, the combination as defined in claim 7, wherein each of said needles has another hook at the other end thereof for engaging other knitted loops of yarn, said first and other jacks each having a nose formed with a depression therein for engaging and removing one of the other knitted loops of yarn from one of the other hooks. 

1. In a knitting machine, the combination comprising: two spaced needle beds defining a knitting area in the space between them, said needle beds having parallel grooves aligned with each other in the two beds; a flat needle longitudinally slidable in a first groove in one needle bed; a first flat jack in said first groove engaged with one end of said needle and longitudinally slidable to move the needle, said needle having a hook at its other end for engaging a first knitted loop of yarn in said knitting area; a second jack longitudinally slidable in a second groove in the other needle bed, said second jack having a nose formed with a depression for engaging said loop and removing it from the needle; first cam means for moving the first jack to disengage the loop from said hook; second cam means for moving the second jack to remove said loop from the needle; another needle in another groove in said one needle bed, said needle beds being laterally movable with respect to each other in a direction perpendicular to said grooves to align said other needle with said second jack; a third jack in said other groove engaged with said other needle for moving the same in said other groove; and third cam means for engaging said third jack to move said third jack and other needle, said other needle having another hook at one end to engage the loop of yarn on the nose of the second jack, whereby the loop is removed from the nose of the second jack and is engaged on the hook of said other needle when the second and third jacks are moved in opposite directions by said second and third cam means respectively; said third cam means being operative to be initially activatable when said other needle is free of engagement with any knitted loop and said first knitted loop is engaged on said second jack''s nose depression, such that an opening in a fabric being knitted may be formed.
 2. In a knitting machine, the combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the first-named needle has another hook at said one end thereof for engaging another knitted loop of yarn; said first jack having a nose formed with a depression therein for removing said other knitted loop from said other hook for transferring said other loop to a further needle.
 3. In a knitting machine, the combination as defined in claim 2, further comprising a carriage movable in a direction perpendicular to the grooves in the needle beds, said cam means being cams carried by said carRiage and disposed to engage the jacks for moving the same when the carriage moves.
 4. In a knitting machine, the combination as defined in claim 3, further comprising further jacks slidably disposed in said first groove for moving the first jack; and further cam means engageable with said further jacks to move the same for moving the first jack into a position where it can be engaged by said first cam means.
 5. In a knitting machine, the combination as defined by claim 1, wherein said needle has another hook at said one end thereof for engaging another knitted loop of yarn; said first jack having a nose formed with a depression therein for removing said other knitted loop from said other hook for transferring said other loop to a further needle.
 6. In a knitting machine, the combination as defined by claim 1, further comprising first means for moving the first jack to disengage the loop from said hook, second means for moving the second jack to remove said loop from the needle; another needle in another groove in said one needle bed at least one of said needle beds being laterally movable in a direction perpendicular to said grooves to align said other needle with the second jack, said other needle being slidable in said other groove and having another hook at one end to engage the loop of yarn on the nose of the second jack for removing the same, whereby the loop of yarn is transferred from the first named needle to said other needle.
 7. In a knitting machine the combination as defined in claim 6, further comprising a third jack in said other groove; and third means for moving said third jack and said other needle to remove said loop from the nose of the second jack.
 8. In a knitting machine, the combination as defined in claim 7, wherein each of said needles has another hook at the other end thereof for engaging other knitted loops of yarn, said first and other jacks each having a nose formed with a depression therein for engaging and removing one of the other knitted loops of yarn from one of the other hooks. 